Coptic

January 15 – 24, 2026 | Cambridge, UK

Explore the Coptic Language with Expert Guidance

Step into the world of early Christian Egypt through our intensive Sahidic Coptic course, part of the Westminster Ancient Languages Winter School. Whether you’re a linguist, historian, or theologian encountering Sahidic Coptic for the first time, this intensive programme offers a rigorous yet accessible foundation in the language of Egypt’s early Christian communities.

Online Option

You can participate in the class in-person or remotely via Zoom. The online option offers full access to classes, teaching resources and discussion, and costs 75% of the in-person fee. See the Costs section below for details.

What You’ll Learn

• Coptic Alphabet & Script
  Learn to read and write the Sahidic dialect of Coptic—the most prominent literary variety—used in a vast body of early Christian literature.

• Grammar & Syntax
  Gain a solid grounding in Coptic grammatical structures, drawing on a clear, lesson-based approach tailored for first-time learners of the language.

• Vocabulary Development
  Build a working vocabulary that enables basic reading and comprehension of Coptic texts.

• Reading Practice
  Begin to read and analyse a range of Coptic texts.

Why Study Coptic?

• Access Foundational Texts
  Engage directly with a range of Christian sources.

• Broaden Your Linguistic Horizons
  Coptic serves as a crucial bridge between Greek and Arabic traditions, especially valuable for researchers in biblical studies, patristics, and Near Eastern Christianity.

• Support Your Academic Research
  Equip yourself with a new language to broaden your understanding of ancient texts and contexts.

Meet Your Tutor: Dr. Alin Suciu

Dr. Alin Suciu is a Senior Researcher at the Göttingen Academy and Docent in Early Christian Literature and Coptic Christianity at the University of Helsinki. He holds a PhD from Laval University, Québec, and serves on the board of the International Association for Coptic Studies (IACS).

His research focuses on the transmission of biblical, apocryphal, and patristic texts in Coptic, and their translation into Arabic and Ethiopic. He contributes to the Göttingen digital edition of the Coptic Sahidic Bible and has published extensively in the field.

Course Schedule

Arrivals: Thursday, January 15 (between 11:00am–1:00pm)
Departures: Saturday, January 24 (after lunch)

Daily Timetable (January 16–23)

Note: January 15 and 24 feature a half-day of teaching. No classes will be held on Sunday, January 19.

Key Information

Accommodation:
Cambridge offers a wide range of accommodation options. Limited on-suite accommodation is available at Westminster College and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To check availability and pricing, please contact our accommodation team and mention the Ancient & Biblical Languages Winter School in your inquiry.

Cost
Fees include all teaching materials, weekday lunches, refreshments, and optional activities.

• Early Bird Rate (until July 31 2025): £550

• Standard Rate (from August 1 2025): £750

Cheshunt Bursaries
50% off for registered students or those on a low income

• Early Bird with Bursary: £275

• Standard Rate with Bursary: £375

Bursaries are limited and offered on a first-come first-served basis. Please select the relevant ticket at checkout using your student email if applying as student.

Refunds:

• Full refunds will be provided on request up to and including the 31st August 2025.
• 50% refunds will be provided on request up to and including 31st October 2025.
• We regret that we are unable to offer refunds after and including the 1st November 2025.

Study Hours:

• 24 hours of live instruction
• 24 hours of guided independent study

Travel & Parking:
Parking charges apply. Please see website — click here.

How to Book

Please book via Ticket Tailor by following this link.

Spaces are limited, and early booking is highly recommended. Once you have booked onto your desired course via Ticket Tailor, you will have 7 days to pay the course fee by bank transfer and confirm your place.